Greetings from Urukundo Village and Learning Center - June 2013
Progress on Construction Phase 3 of School Project
May Greetings
Hello Friends and Family from the USA and Urukundo.
The month of May in the USA has been very cold but the spring flowers have been spectacular. I am freezing. I'm delighted to report I have been given a clean bill of health and am ready to return home to Urukundo and get back to work. The report from Urukundo is very positive. Our staff is doing a excellent job while I am away. This comment from Helen Kweskin and her team of students :
"Please know how truly grateful I feel for all the love, support, and logistical thoughtfulness that allowed us to have such a rich experience at such a very special place. "
Thank you Helen!
Next month will be back to business as usual since I'll be returning June 12 to my kids. In the meantime, thank you to Carol Falke and Sarah Ketchley for their participation in getting this newsletter to you.
The month of May we will share with you the projects involved in Education at Urukundo Learning Center.
Funding for constructing the second grade class rooms is still the priority project for the present. Looking for partners in education to make it a success. Building each set of classrooms, one at a time, is very difficult and more expensive. If it were possible to contract for the whole project it would be more economical. Until that financial support comes we will continue one year at a time. I know with God all things are possible.
Another Speaking Engagement
April Greetings from Rwanda and the US
Hello from both sides of the world.
Special Mention
Sewing Center Update
We were thrilled to see the sewing center open and beginning operation. Five treadle sewing machines were purchased by donors in State College and at St. Paul's United Methodist Church. They were set up and being used when we arrived.
Aprons for the kitchen staff, uniforms for the farmers, dresses for the primary school dedication, skirts and shoulder bags. It was fully operational but needed the many supplies we were bringing. Two huge suitcases full.
Therese the sewing instructor and I are meeting for the first time. She was smiling as she received the many gifts of sewing supplies.
Women and men will come daily to sew as well as learn to sew. Orders are coming in, so many hands are needed.
Deogratios Mugisha
Urukundo was blessed, thanks to the Ingoboka Fund, to be able to give the help needed when a little four year old boy, Deogratios Mugisha, accidentally fell into boiling water and was scalded over the left side of his body. Remember cooking is done in the home of our families with charcoal pots sitting on the floor. The little boy is a student at our preschool and so when this happened his parents brought him to us.
I had medicated wrap used by fireman to protect the burn area until transport to a hospital takes place. Removing the clothes carefully we gently placed the protective medicated wrap over the burned area, called our driver to come and transport the boy and his parents to the hospital. We are also blessed to have a vehicle always available.